By Sitha Maliwa:
Celebrated South African musician Thandiswa Mazwai will mark the one-year anniversary of her latest album Sankofa with a unique live performance at The Lyric Theatre in Johannesburg’s Gold Reef City on Sunday, 29 June 2025 at 19:00. The event, titled Thandiswa Live (Belede X Sankofa), promises an intimate and reflective musical experience that brings together two of her most important bodies of work.
Performing with a jazz quartet, Mazwai will present music from both Belede and Sankofa, albums that have been lauded for their rich blend of jazz, soul, and African rhythms. The show will not only revisit the music but also explore the stories, dreams, and personal memories that shaped these albums. Fans can expect an immersive experience that pays tribute to Thandiswa’s mentors and musical inspirations.
“She will weave together stories, memories and dreams from her encounters with mentors like Miriam Makeba and Hugh Masekela as well as her travels across the African Continent,” reads the official announcement. These personal and cultural influences have long been central to her music, which often delves into themes of heritage, identity, and social consciousness.
Thandiswa shared her excitement about the upcoming performance, saying:
“I am so excited to be sharing these two works at Lyric Theatre on the 29th of June. It is a special treat for our fans who always ask to see this music live. Belede is, of course, a very special album for me and we are also celebrating a year since the release of Sankofa.”
Released in 2016, Belede is a jazz tribute album named after Mazwai’s mother, Belede Mazwai, and features reinterpretations of South African classics. Sankofa, released in 2024, expanded on her musical legacy with a more contemporary take on African identity and sonic experimentation, while maintaining deep jazz influences.
Speaking about the musical direction of the show, Thandiswa added:
“The show will be meditative with a strong focus on the music from Belede and Sankofa.”
Audiences can expect a carefully curated set, with a special lineup of musicians joining Thandiswa to honour the people who played on the albums and the sonic worlds they helped create. The performance promises to be both a celebration and a deep, soulful exploration of the music’s origins and messages. Thandiswa Live (Belede X Sankofa) will take place on 29 June 2025 at 7 PM at The Lyric Theatre, with tickets ranging from R400 to R1000. Tickets are available for purchase through Webtickets. – @NewsSA_Online
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